Conservation Report July 2010: Annual Report Conservation Portfolio
By Peter Konigkramer
Hunters are conservationists. Many still battle to perceive how such an apparently contradictory statement holds any merit. Especially since hunting has of late achieved controversial status. The on-going slaughter of South Africa's rhino population, via the most heinous means imaginable and by individuals with links to the hunting fraternity, has certainly added fuel to the sceptic's fire.
Undeniably, hunting continues to contribute toward conservation and remains an important wildlife management tool. Internationally, conservation initiatives (including the World Conservation Strategy) recognise the role of the Hunter/Conservationist. Yet, public opinion is easily swayed by a number of factors. Not least of which is the perseverance of Animal Rights-ism and their ability to fan the flames of discontent by manipulating the exploits of rogue elements within our ranks.
"Therefore the future of hunting in society is determined by obtaining the trust and understanding of the non-hunting citizens. They must be able to recognise that hunters- as co-guardians of the world's natural heritage- act transparently within the common objectives of biodiversity conservation"
In the future, this perhaps will become the single most important objective of most hunting Associations worldwide. In acknowledgement of the importance of well-formulated and sensible public opinion, 2010's conservation work, as with Youth Development, has centred on education.
2010 Educational Objectives
- To communicate the key components of the Associations conservation vocabulary, namely the word itself, its context in relation to hunting and its relationship to the notion of preservation
- To illustrate the application of the Association's notion of conservation, to international strategies and accepted norms
- To communicate the hierarchical relationship between soil, plants and animals.
2010 Educational Strategies (toward achieving the objectives)
- Defining 'conservation', 'preservation' and 'hunting' and the interdependent nature of these terms
- Using the example of the World Conservation Strategy (WCS) to place the Associations' understanding of conservation within a global context, thereby ensuring both credibility and relevance
- Via illustration to demonstrate the fundamental principles (soil, plants and animals) applied to resource management and the relationships they share.
2010 Educational Achievements (1) Conservation Training courses:
Group: 48 x 12-13 year old boys and girls Conservation Content: Bush & camp-craft, including an introduction to living outdoors.
Conservation content: An introductory course to hunting, sustainable utilization and The World Conservation Strategy. Bush-craft including tracking, animal
identification and habitat. Tree identification. Spoor and sign in the bush. Hunting traditions, ethics and the role of the hunting in wildlife management.
Group: 28 x 17-18 year old boys and girls
Conservation content: Basic bush and camp craft, including minimal impact camping.
Group: 36 x 11 year old boys and girls
Conservation content: An introduction to wildlife management, including explanations of role players (WCU, WWF and CITES). Discussion regards the objectives of the WCS
(World Conservation Strategy) and sustainable utilization, including Africa's wildlife management priorities.
Guidelines have been developed covering 2 key programmes:
(4) Conservation PR and Press Relations
The ongoing slaughter of SA's Rhino population and associated negative press bias toward blaming the "hunting and conservation community" has not gone un-noticed. A meeting with Tony Carnie (environmental journalist, The Mercury) was scheduled and has taken place. The purpose being to pledge support, denounce the atrocities and offer assistance toward ending this scourge.
In conclusion
"Humanity's common objective of biodiversity conservation should actually dictate that hunters and non-hunters of today's global society enter into a civilized dialogue, and show tolerance and understanding for each other. Only the broadest-based conservation alliance will be biodiversity's and, ultimately, humanity's salvation."
